Bonner County adopts Nov. 4 election canvas after clerk reports smooth election, 26% turnout

Clerk Rosedale told the Bonner County Board of Commissioners that the Nov. 4, 2025 election "went very smoothly," with about 26% turnout and only one notably close contest in the City of Sandpoint, where candidates were separated by roughly 12 votes. The board moved to adopt the county's election canvas as presented by Rosedale and approved the motion by roll-call vote.

Rosedale said county election staff finished post-election bookkeeping and processing faster than usual, in part because many ballots contained single contests and precinct workers processed votes promptly. "We had an election on November 4. It went very smoothly," Rosedale said, noting the county had completed most work the same night and that only about 20 of 30 precincts were listed in one summary table used during processing.

On recounts, Rosedale told commissioners there is no automatic recount trigger. "If they ask for a recount, it's free," Rosedale said, explaining that who pays is determined by statute and that a candidate has a statutory window after the canvas to request a recount (Rosedale described it as "30 days or 40 days"). Rosedale also gave a typical cost figure: "And it would be a $100 a precinct," meaning a five-precinct recount in Sandpoint would cost about $500 if the candidate were required to pay.

Commissioners asked about undervotes—ballots that do not show the maximum allowable number of votes in multi-seat contests. Rosedale and a commissioner explained undervotes can occur when voters do not select all available candidates or when multiple items on a ballot (for example, a municipal bond question and council seats) lead some voters to skip certain contests.

Before the vote, Rosedale said county staff had expected a canvass form from the Secretary of State but did not receive it and instead built their own form for this meeting. The presiding commissioner moved to adopt the "11/04/2025 Bonner County election canvas presented by Clerk Rosedale." A commissioner seconded; roll-call responses indicated three affirmative votes and the motion carried. One commissioner had emailed prior consent to allow the county to apply their stamp for the canvass paperwork.

The board adjourned at 10:09 a.m.